Parenting Left of the Middle

Toddler Gifts

In planning Jack’s birthday party, I was asked many times what he needs. My answer: “He doesn’t really need anything but if you want to get him something…” We got some great gifts, and some actually did fall into the “necessity” category. If you are looking for a toddler gift, here are my favorites.

Shoes! Whether the toddler is newly walking or a seasoned pedestrian, shoes are important. Human feet grow faster during the first few years of life (and something like two sizes during year 2) than at any other time, so buying a size bigger is always helpful. For the newly toddling child, a shoe with a flexible, sturdy sole is best. Jack got two pairs of shoes for his birthday, both made by See Kai Run, in the Jack and the Noah styles (I am also in love with London and Rashad). They also double as a teething ring.

Instruments. This is not a necessity per se, but our family is big on music and feel it’s important. Our gift to Jack was a Brio drum. It has a beautiful sound, almost like a wooden chime. Much less obnoxious than other drums out there. (I am crying inside, though, because I just realized I could have saved a lot of money had I bought this online. Oh well – at least I supported a local mom n pop shop.)

Diaper accessories. We could always use more diaper covers (our favorites are still Imse Vimse, Bumkins, and Bummis), and snappis are supposed to be replaced every 6 months or so. I finally decided to try some pocket diapers, as well, so I went and bought one medium FuzziBunz and one Mommy’s Touch one-size pocket. I’ll be testing those out at night to see if we can lose some of the bulk!

Clothes. Clothes are never a bad thing! We are always in transition to the next size. If you aren’t sure what to get, go for a gift card (which is the safe option always because you don’t have to worry about size and parental preferences).

Puzzles. Shape sorters are great, but even better at this age is a wooden knob puzzle (and we love crabs, if you haven’t noticed).

Blocks. Amazingly Jack had no blocks yet! His toy collection was mostly limited to the infant stuffed animals or hand-me-down toys such as Joe’s ancient BuzzOff (remember HeMan?) action figure. Now he is equipped with Melissa & Doug’s alphabet block wagon and a set of natural Brio building blocks (we have much love for wooden toys!).

This is just a small sampling of the great things Jack received for his first birthday. His toy box is overflowing (time to make a trip to Goodwill), his closet bursting, and his piggy bank is a little heftier now. He is definitely not lacking any material goods.

11 thoughts on “Toddler Gifts”

Great list! I especially like the drums, puzzles, and blocks! (Paul and I are percussionists, and as you well know, all the world’s a drum to a toddler.)
As for blocks, I HIGHLY recommend the cardboard blocks from Melissa & Doug — I was skeptical, but they really are very sturdy, but as they are cardboard, they are light. We love that they’re so big. We build garages for his little cars on an almost daily basis.

Great list! I especially like the drums, puzzles, and blocks! (Paul and I are percussionists, and as you well know, all the world’s a drum to a toddler.)
As for blocks, I HIGHLY recommend the cardboard blocks from Melissa & Doug — I was skeptical, but they really are very sturdy, but as they are cardboard, they are light. We love that they’re so big. We build garages for his little cars on an almost daily basis.

we got a set of 100 unpainted wooden blocks from target of all places. on clearance for $4. in retrospect, I should have gotten 2, because he LOVES them. He “cooks” with them, he builds with them, he counts them, he sorts them.

Play food is also a really good idea at this age. Pretend play doesn’t usually begin until around 20 months, but Andy’s been doing it since about 14. He makes use of his kitchen daily, and when we unload groceries, I have to specify the “big” kitchen, otherwise the hummus will end up in “his” refrigerator, lol. We really like PLAN Toys, German-made wooden stuff (unlike M&D, which is made in China, where they often use lead-based paint on kids’ toys), including some food that comes in halves that velcro together & can be “cut” apart with a wooden knife. “Chop it” is a favored game around here.

we got a set of 100 unpainted wooden blocks from target of all places. on clearance for $4. in retrospect, I should have gotten 2, because he LOVES them. He “cooks” with them, he builds with them, he counts them, he sorts them.

Play food is also a really good idea at this age. Pretend play doesn’t usually begin until around 20 months, but Andy’s been doing it since about 14. He makes use of his kitchen daily, and when we unload groceries, I have to specify the “big” kitchen, otherwise the hummus will end up in “his” refrigerator, lol. We really like PLAN Toys, German-made wooden stuff (unlike M&D, which is made in China, where they often use lead-based paint on kids’ toys), including some food that comes in halves that velcro together & can be “cut” apart with a wooden knife. “Chop it” is a favored game around here.